Herbal Travel Kit Essentials
|
Time to read 4 min
Have you ever returned from a trip so depleted you felt like you needed a vacation from your vacation? Or sometimes the moment you finally slow down—your body lets go and gets sick. Sound familiar?
If you’ve ever returned home more exhausted than when you left, you’re not alone. Travel can uplift the spirit—and unravel the body.
As someone of mixed roots from Japan, New Zealand, and the Pacific Northwestern United States, I’ve spent much of my life moving between cultures, climates, and continents. Before settling into my role as the owner of Eclectic Herb, I spent years traveling the world, often solo, and later, with my son by my side.
I have wandered far, solo through Indonesia, where I sat quietly on the sacred stones of Prambanan Temple, long before the earthquake fractured its foundations. I glimpsed wild orangutans, rode a motorbike to meet the Long Neck tribes of Myanmar on the border of Thailand, hiked to Machu Picchu and Tikal, and slept beneath the stars at Uluru.
As a multi-cultural mother, I wanted my child to feel the world, not just read about it. At six, we journeyed through Southeast Asia, exploring temples, spice markets, and rainforest trails. By eight, we wandered the roads of India and the beaches of Sri Lanka, guided by curiosity and instinct. He has stood atop the Great Wall of China, watched giant tortoises roam the Galápagos islands, and learned early that the world is vast, and wonder waits in every corner.
We’ve ducked illness more times than I can count - not by chance, but by preparation. And always with herbs!
My Go-To Herbal Travel Essentials
When you travel, your rhythms unravel. Airplanes dry the lungs. Time zones steal your sleep. Street food delights one moment and unsettles your stomach the next. It’s all part of the beauty of the journey—but the body, especially a child’s, needs support.
Over years of travel—across oceans, time zones, and childhood milestones—I’ve refined a kit that works. These are the herbal allies that have supported me and my son through motion sickness, sleepless nights, immune flare-ups, and all those in-between moments when the body just needs a little help finding balance again.
But you don’t need them all. Start with what fits your body, your trip, and your needs. Here’s how I break it down:
Ginger Capsules - Soothe tummies
Ginger has been my grounding anchor on winding roads, rocky boats, and after questionable late-night meals. Just one capsule can calm a churning belly, ease the fog of long travel days, and gently warm the body from the inside out. With hereditary motion sickness running in our family, ginger has been an absolute lifesaver.
Our freeze-dried ginger is potent, clean, and easy to carry in capsule form.
Why I pack it:
For nausea and unsettled tummies
For preventing motion sickness
For circulation after long hours of sitting
Larix Capsules - Immunity & Gut
This is the unsung hero of my travel kit —a single herb that quietly supports both immune function and the gut.
When you’re exposed to unfamiliar microbes, especially the kind that can leave you doubled over in a hotel room, Larix is the ally you want on board. It’s my daily go-to for helping prevent "Delhi belly," and immune crashes in new environments.
It’s gentle, effective, and incredibly reliable.
Why I pack it:
For daily immune and digestive protection
To guard against bad bugs and travel-related gut issues
As my first line of defense against foodborne surprises
Valerian-Passionflower Capsules – Sleep & Calm
When you cross time zones, your body doesn’t always follow. This gentle blend is my remedy for jet lag, restless nights, and overstimulated travel days .
Valerian eases physical tension. Passionflower calms the mind. Together, they help the nervous system settle so sleep can come—and so you can wake up feeling restored, not foggy.
I take these in the first few nights after a long-haul flight, or anytime the rhythm of travel has pulled me out of sync. They’ve helped me and my son adjust more gently, sleep more deeply, and return to ourselves a little faster.
Why I pack it:
To ease jet lag and adjust to new time zones
For grounding sleep after overstimulating days
As a nervous system reset when rest feels out of reach
Propolis-Astragalus Spray – In-Flight Immune Support
This is our go-to on the plane —a kid-friendly throat spray that brings together immune-boosting astragalus and protective propolis in one easy mist.
Plane air is dry, recycled, and full of unfamiliar microbes. I spray this during flights to keep the throat moist and supported, especially when the immune system is vulnerable. It’s alcohol-free, safe for children , and easy to use mid-flight with no fuss.
One or two sprays is all it takes to feel like you’ve done something small—but powerful—for your body in transit.
Why I pack it:
For immune support during flights and layovers
To soothe and protect the throat in dry cabin air
Safe for both adults and children on the go
Herbs have supported my son and I through long flights, unfamiliar foods, and the beautiful chaos that comes with exploring the world. They’ve brought us happy bellies, calmness, and immunity—no matter where we’ve landed.
If you’re planning a trip, big or small, I hope they’ll do the same for you! Go explore the world!
The Author: Christine Alstat
Meet Chris Alstat, an internationally acclaimed naturopath and herbalist of Japanese heritage, whose profound expertise in plants and natural health has garnered recognition worldwide. As the dedicated owner of Eclectic Herb, Christine seamlessly intertwines her deep-rooted commitment to the Earth with her business, cultivating a space where her passion for plants is ever in full bloom. Her influential voice on herbal wisdom resonates across the globe through publications and panels, reflecting a lifetime commitment to nurturing both the plant kingdom and the earth.
